Brian Smyth

A quiet man who never stops running the roads, can be seen morning noon or evening on the towns road, have a read and meet Brian

Name : Brian Smyth

Age : 40 (mental age a bit lower)

Work/School/College : Moved down here to worked in PFPC International ( or BNY Mellon as its known now) in 2005. Said to myself I'll give it a few years. Still here 18 years (will be in July) later.

How long have you been a member of Menapians AC : Coming up to the one year mark. I managed to resist the numerous conversations from most of the senior mens team to join for a number of years, eventually relenting & donning the black & red.

Interests & achievements outside athletics : I like to travel & try to get away a couple of times a year. During lockdown, I joined Wexford Marinewatch & have been volunteering with them ever since.

Events you have competed at : Started off just doing 5K & the odd 10K. Made the mad decision to do my first half marathon in Enniscorthy. I never realised a town could have so many hills. I had vowed never to do a marathon. I fully blame my brothers club, Kilkenny City Harriers, for changing that. Stayed up with him for a couple of weekends last summer and joined them for a few long runs. Planted the seed & joined a group of them doing Amsterdam Marathon in October. Did my second one in April, and third one lined up later. It is true that it becomes an addiction.

Favourite event : probably 10k, more of a distance man than short speedy type.

Least favourite event : Anything cross country related. Still mentally scarred by a Tipperary Senior that was a bog in too many places.

Biggest athletics achievement : First marathon last year.

Other athletics achievements : Got great praise from a former Olympian, David Gillick, when I held him off in sprint finish in a parkrun.

Do you hold any records : I am still the only person to turn a parkrun into a duathlon when I went for a short dip in Johnstown Castle lake.

Favourite moment of your athletic career : Manchester marathon, was in a lot better shape for the mental side of it & ran the whole race in 3:28.

Favourite track you have competed on :

Least favourite track : Have only ever ran on Nenagh indoor track. Freezing cold place, spent more time there with clipboard & pen at finish line & got dragged into making up 4x200 team. Jeans are not built for for running.

Favourite food/drink : I'd eat almost anything, but pasta dishes would be top of the list.

Post training snack : Usually banana & water. Then coffee & anything in sight. Got to replenish those calories.

Some unusual facts about yourself : I am distantly related to Walt Disney